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With new data showing that Victorian women are feeling unwelcome and intimated by gyms - resulting in them shunning their local fitness centres and missing out on the chance to get healthy and active - a new campaign is aiming to end ‘gym intimidation’.

VicHealth’s research shows gyms are particularly daunting for mothers and women who are new to health and fitness, with more than 70% of mums and 65% of women new to health and fitness finding them intimidating places to workout.

Other barriers include costs of gym memberships and time pressures with some 71% of inactive women shunned the gym because of costs, while 62%% of mums wished they had more time to get active.

Aiming to change this, the Victorian Government and VicHealth rolling out the $500,000 Innovation Challenge: Physical Activity Program grants for clever initiatives or programs that offer women more options than just everyday gym memberships and classes.

Grants will be made available for things like exercise programs aimed at culturally diverse women, training for gym staff to provide a more welcoming environment, or initiatives such as women’s-only classes or workout spaces.

The latest grants will help make council owned facilities like pools, gyms and parks more inclusive and welcoming for women. In addition, grants are also available to make traditional sport more inclusive for less active, disadvantaged and culturally diverse Victorians.

Introducing the Program, Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos stated “while gyms can be great places to get active, too many women and girls find them too intimidating and horribly daunting. We’re changing that.

“We want as many women as possible to get active and enjoy the physical and social benefits it brings ... everyone can take small steps towards a healthier life.”

VicHealth acting Chief Executive Dr Lyn Roberts added “we’ve heard so many stories through our This Girl Can Victoria campaign of women who’ve worked up the courage to try a sport or go to the gym only to never go back because they don’t feel welcomed and included.

"We know this isn’t what sports organisations and councils want, which is why we’re encouraging them to apply for this funding – we want your clever ideas to help more people to give physical activity a go.”

Applications for the VicHealth Innovation Challenge: Physical Activity grants are open until 18th April.

Click here for more information.

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